Behrouz Karevani

Approaching the end of the solar year commences discussion on workers wage.

Following the workers campaign to increase the minimum annual salary, Ebrahim Nazry Jalali, deputy minister of Labor and Social Affairs, has announced that “inflation will be the main indicator on appointing the minimum wage.”

Ebrahim Nazry Jalali has told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that the Supreme Labour Council would consider the livelihood of workers when deciding the minimum wage for the coming year. Jalali also noted that inflation is expected to decrease to one digit figures by the end of the calendar year.

Some analysts indicate that since the real inflation rate is always higher than the official figures released by the government, the worker’s economic capacity shrinks every year. This criticism is also held by Alireza Saghafi, a member of the Defenders of Labor Rights Association, and Iranian Writers Association in Tehran.

Mr. Saghafi told Radio Farda that, “By looking at the past 10 years of workers wage and inflation, we can realize that the worker purchasing power is decreasing.” He added, “The minimum monthly salary appointed to the current year was only 264,000 Toman (approximately 260.00 USD), while statistics show that the poverty line is 800,000 Toman (approximately 800.00 USD).”

During the past year, the current minimum salary of 264,000 Toman has been a subject of heavy criticism by labour activists and worker organizations. Last year, numerous worker organizations such as the Bus Worker’s Syndicate, and Iran Independent Worker’s Union, drafted a petition in objection to the minimum salary. Even though the petition was signed by thousands of workers, government officials did not respond to their objections.

Many economists agree that the minimum salary should be high enough to provide honourable living conditions for the workers.